NanoGUNE is a research center devoted to conducting world-class nanoscience research for a competitive growth of the Basque Country. NanoGUNE is a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) and has been recognized for the third consecutive time by the Spanish Research Agency as a María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence.
With this call, we are opening a career pathway for outstanding early-career scientists ready to establish their own independent research line. Successful candidates will lead their own junior group at nanoGUNE, with scientific independence and access to our state-of-the-art research infrastructure.
Research areas We welcome applications across the full breadth of two broad areas:
Quantum Nanoscience: including, but not limited to, quantum materials, quantum transport, quantum optics and photonics, quantum sensing, superconducting and spin-based devices, low-dimensional and topological systems, and quantum hardware.
Nanomedicine: including, but not limited to, nanobiotechnology, biomolecular engineering, nanoscale biophysics, biomaterials, diagnostics, and bio-inspired nanosystems.
Proposals that are original, ambitious, and complementary to nanoGUNE's existing activity are particularly encouraged. We will especially value research programs that exploit our experimental infrastructure, including our 300 m2 cleanroom for nanofabrication, 15 ultra-low-noise laboratories, and shared platforms for electron microscopy, nanoscale imaging and spectroscopy, thin-film growth and nanodevice characterization.
What we offer A 4-year appointment as Junior Group Leader.
Funding for one postdoctoral researcher,



recruited by and working under the supervision of the Junior Group Leader.
Consumables and travel funds sufficient to run the proposed program while the Junior Group Leader secures their own external research funding.
Access to nanoGUNE's research infrastructure.
Scientific independence in defining the research program, publishing, and building the team.
Support from the center's project management and grant office for national and European funding applications.
An international and competitive research environment, state-of-the-art equipment, and the opportunity to perform research at the highest level.
During the appointment, Junior Group Leaders are expected to conduct ambitious frontier research and to pursue external funding opportunities. Selected candidates will be expected to apply to the next available Ikerbasque Research Fellows call and to pursue competitive research grants such as the ERC Starting Grant . Junior Group Leaders who establish a successful independent research line at nanoGUNE may subsequently have the opportunity to access a permanent research position, in coordination with the Ikerbasque program for the consolidation of research talent in the Basque Country.
The candidates Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, Biology, or a related discipline, and must be within the eligibility window for an ERC Starting Grant at the application deadline. Extensions to this eligibility window for parental leave, long-term illness, and other circumstances recognized under ERC rules will be taken into

📌 Junior Group Leaders (San Sebastián)
🏢 CIC nanoGUNE
📍 San Sebastián